Abstract

Previous studies have shown that Pox neuro (Poxn) plays a crucial role in the development of larval poly-innervated external sensory (p-es) organs in Drosophila. However, how Poxn exerts its function during these processes remains elusive. In this study, we described the detailed analysis of cell lineages for two larval p-es organs, kölbchen and papilla 6. Surprisingly, these two lineages are distinct from any cell lineage reported previously. In homozygous PoxnΔM22 mutant embryos, the kölbchen lineage gives rise to a reduced number of cells, and most interestingly, the cell division pattern is altered. Our results extend the understanding of the development of p-es organs in Drosophila larvae, and clearly demonstrate the role of Poxn in the specification of the cell lineages of larval p-es organs.